Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Second Stain
Comeinhere,MacPherson.Letthesegentlemenhearofyourmostinexcusableconduct.”
Thebigconstable,veryhotandpenitent,sidledintotheroom.
“Imeantnoharm,sir,I’msure.Theyoungwomancametothedoorlastevening—mistookthehouse,shedid.Andthenwegottalking.It’slonesome,whenyou’reondutyhereallday.”
“Well,whathappenedthen?”
“Shewantedtoseewherethecrimewasdone—hadreadaboutitinthepapers,shesaid.Shewasaveryrespectable,well-spokenyoungwoman,sir,andIsawnoharminlettingherhaveapeep.Whenshesawthatmarkonthecarpet,downshedroppedonthefloor,andlayasifsheweredead.Irantothebackandgotsomewater,butIcouldnotbringherto.ThenIwentroundthecornertotheIvyPlantforsomebrandy,andbythetimeIhadbroughtitbacktheyoungwomanhadrecoveredandwasoff—ashamedofherself,Idaresay,anddarednotfaceme.”
“Howaboutmovingthatdrugget?”
“Well,sir,itwasabitrumpled,certainly,whenIcameback.Yousee,shefellonitanditliesonapolishedfloorwithnothingtokeepitinplace.Istraighteneditoutafterwards.”
“It’salessontoyouthatyoucan’tdeceiveme,ConstableMacPherson,”saidLestrade,withdignity.“Nodoubtyouthoughtthatyourbreachofdutycouldneverbediscovered,andyetamereglanceatthatdruggetwasenoughtoconvincemethatsomeonehadbeenadmittedtotheroom.It’sluckyforyou,myman,thatnothingismissing,oryouwouldfindyourselfinQueerStreet.I’msorrytohavecalledyoudownoversuchapettybusiness,Mr.
